Tree removal permit rules in McHenry County, IL — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Removing a protected tree in Crystal Lake requires a tree removal permit from the Building Division under the Unified Development Ordinance's Tree Preservation standards. Small single-family lots under three acres created before 2002, nurseries, and approved-plan sites are exempt.
Under Crystal Lake UDO Section 4-300 (Tree Preservation), it is unlawful to cut down, destroy, remove, move, or damage any tree without the appropriate permit unless an exemption applies. Permits are issued by the Building Division. Exempt properties include single-family residential-zoned parcels smaller than three acres created before 2002, commercial nurseries and orchards, and sites with an approved landscaping or tree-preservation plan. Removed protected trees generally must be replaced based on the tree's condition rating and species group per a certified arborist. On unincorporated county land, the McHenry County Unified Development Ordinance governs instead.
Removing or destroying a protected tree without a required permit violates UDO Section 4-300, subjecting the owner to municipal fines and mandatory tree-replacement obligations for each unlawfully removed tree.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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McHenry County Conservation District sites are open to the public only from sunrise to sunset, or as posted. No one may enter or remain in a conservation sit...
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The McHenry County UDO requires new permanent residential lighting to be positioned so the bulb or polished reflective surface cannot be seen directly throug...
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The McHenry County UDO requires new permanent commercial or industrial lighting to use a fully shielded fixture positioned so the bulb or reflector cannot be...
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Small garage-sale yard signs are exempt from permitting under the McHenry County UDO. A larger temporary structural sign is capped at one per street frontage...
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Yard signs are an exempted sign type under the McHenry County UDO and need no permit. Any exempted or temporary sign may display a noncommercial (political) ...
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McHenry County has no separate tiny-home category. A tiny home can only be a legal second dwelling if it qualifies as an ancillary dwelling unit under the UD...
See how McHenry County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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